Acetylene-gas generator.



PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905.

N. GOODYEAR. Y AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 9, 1908.

3 SHEETSSHBBT 1.

WM (III 0W. K

WITNESSES.

PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905.

N. GOODYEAR.

AOETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 9. 1903.

3 SHEETS-15331 2.

INVETOH WV '01" \i I I A TTOHNEYS PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905.

N. GOODYEAR. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 9, 1903.

A TTOHNE Y3 UNTTED STATES Patented February, 21, 1905.

PATENT EEicE.

NELSON GOODYEAR, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. B. COLT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENE RATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,192, dated February 21, 1905.

Application filed February 9, 1903. Serial No. 143,613.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELsoN GooDYEAR,a citizen of the United States, residing at Flushing, Long Island, in the State of New York,'have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Acetylene-Generators, of which the following is a specification accompanied by drawings.

My invention relates to acetylene-generators; and its objects in general are to improve upon the construction of such generators and increase their efiiciency of operation.

Further objects of the invention are to improve the carbid-feeding mechanism of the generator, to insure the opening of a vent to the generating-chamber when the lime-gate for removing the residuum is open, to insure the opening of the vent when water is introduced into the generating-chamber, and to prevent the vent from being left open after charging the machine.

Further objects of my invention will hereinafter appear; and to these ends my invention consists of apparatus for carrying out the above objects embodying the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully described and claimed in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side view of apparatus embodyingmyinvention, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the generator, partly in section and partly broken away. Fig; 4 is a detail view of part of the connections between the charging-lid for water and the lime-gate, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of part of the feeding mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the gas-bell A rises and falls within the outer casing B of the gasometer, and connections are provided between the rising and fallinggas-bell and the carbid-valve O for controlling the operation of said valve. While the generator may be constructed in any suitable manner, I have shown a partition E inside of the outer casing D, the walls of which are extended upwardly at F to form what may be termed a fillingbib communicating with the inside of the generator by means of a downwardly-extending sleeve G, which forms a water seal for the stirrer-rod H, suitably connected to the stirrer I. The filling-bib is partly covered over by the top J, while a suitable hinged lid or cover K affords provision for charging the machine with water.

As-shown in the drawings, the neck L of the machine is supported from the partition E and extends upwardly through the top J, supporting the hopper O, within which is arranged the carbid-valve C.

For the proper mounting and protection of the feeding mechanism, comprising the carbid-valve O and its operative connections, I arrange a casing P within the hopper O. This feeding-mechanism casing P comprises, essentially, a bell-shaped portion within which the carbid-valve C is adapted to move and a narrower portion or neck Q, which may be termed the lever-box, within which the lever R operates. The valve-mechanism casing P may be made from one casting and is so constructed that it forms a universal or interchangeable casting for valve mechanism which will fit equally with all sizes of hopper,

provided the angle of convergence of the conical bottoms of the hoppers remains constant. The casing P is suitably supported from the hopper and extends through an aperture in the same, as shown, in this instance the casing having aleg S, which rests upon the inside of the hopper. The hopper being of thin sheet metal is not adapted for supporting the casing P by means of bolts alone without asupporting-leg, although, if desired, rivets U may be pivoted to aid in securing the casing to the hopper.

That portion of the casing P designated as the lever-box Q, is constructed to afford provision for raising the lever R far enough to permit the valve C to be Withdrawn upwardly out of the casing P, and it will be seen that the end of the lever R is beveled or cham't'ered at V to permit the valve O to be withdrawn over the end of the lever. It is obvious that the lever R-may be so proportioned and constructed that it would be unnecessary to chamfer the end of thesame.

In order to afford provision for removing the valve through the top of the casing P a suitable cap W is shown, which in this instance is held in place on the casing bymeans of the carbid-filling cover or lid X of the hopper. The cap W is supported on the easing P by suitable means, as shown, there beinga fillet Y on said cap, which rests on the top of the casing, and by first removing the filling-cover X it will be seen that the valve 7 (3 may be lifted upwardly through the casing.

As shown, there is a ring on the valve C to enable the valve to be lifted out of the casing. According to the present construction there are lugs or projections Z on the valve C, which serve to guide and steady the valve within the casing, and, as shown, the cap W forms an extension for the easing, into which the valve 0 moves when carried upwardly. As hereinbefore stated, the casing P extends through an aperture in the side of the hopper O to afiord provision for operating the lever R, as by means of suitable connections actuated by the gas-bell A. In this instance a rock-shaft (it extends through a stuifing-box b and is connected to the lever R, while a catch o r'hook 0 and an adjustable stop (Z are connected to the outer end of the rock-shaft a. According to the present construction two rods 6 and fare shown pivoted to each other at one end at g and pivoted at their other ends to the neck L of the generator and tothe gas-bell A of the gasometer. A latch h is shown pivoted at i to the rod (2 and provided with a hooked end adapted to co operate with the catch or hook 0. The other end of the latch ZL extends downwardly for a purpose hereinafter to appear.

When the machine is empty of carbid, the gas-bell A descends by reason of the diminution of the quantity of gas in the same produced by the conduction of gas to the burners, and consequently the valve C is raised to its maximum extent, in which case the stop 0Z bears against the upper end of the latch IL and pushes the hooked end of said latch from engagement with the catch or hook 0, thus permitting the valve 0 to fall in this instance by reason of its own weight, although the valve may be operated in other ways, if desired, and not necessarily by gravity alone. This operation described prevents any danger of carbid being poured through the hopper into the generating-chamber when the machine is being charged through the carbidfilling cover X. By making the stop (Z adjustable it will be seen that the point at which disengagement of the operative connections takes place may be varied at will. so that the valve may be automatically closed at varying points in the descent of the bell.

An overflow-opening is provided in a suitable position on the generator, and suitable pipeconnections it are provided between the generator and the gasometer, while a vent-' pipe Z communicates with the outside atmosphere by means of the space 0 above the water in the gasometer-trap, with which space theair-outlet p communicates. The ventpipe Z also communicates in this instance with the inside of the generator by means of the piping Z1, and a vent-cock q is arranged in the vent-pipe Z to control the same. I

The lid or cover K, as shown, is provided with a hinged pivot r at one side, supported from the walls of'the generator, while at the other side said cover is connected to the vent cock or valve q. so that in opening and closing the cover K the valve (1 will be operated. Any suitable means may be provided for operatively connecting the lid or cover K to the valve 9, as shown, the lid K being provided withv a socket 8, into which a squared projection 2f on the valve fits.

The objects of the invention relative to charging with water are three in number: first, to insure the opening of the vent q to the generating-chamber when the lime-gate u for removing the residuum isopened; secondly, to insure the opening of the vent when water is introduced into the generating-chamber. The arrangement of the filling cover or lid K in connection with the vent q thus insures the venting of the machine both when introducing and withdrawing water from the same, the object being to prevent air pressure or suction from affecting the gasometer. The third object is to prevent the vent being either opened or left open at any time without stopping the machine.

As shown in the drawings, the lime-gate a is provided with an upwardly-extending rod 0), the upper end of which extends within the socket w for the hinged pivotr of the lid K. The pivot r is provided with a flattened or recessed portion a which .moves into such position when the lid K is opened that the rod 7) may move upwardly past said flattened portion of the pivot a; but when the lid K is closed the rod o cannot be moved upward. According to this construction the lime-gate it cannot be opened unless the lid K is open, and it will also be seen that the lid K is locked open as long as the lime-gate it remains open, because when the interference-rod o is moved upward past the flattened portion of the pivot r the lid cannot be closed again until the rod o is lowered. I have shown and described suitable means for locking the lid K open when the lime-gate is open and for preventing the operation of the lime-gate when the lid K is vent q is also locked open. Other suitable connections may be provided, if desired, between the lime-gate and vent q, I having shown these connections as embodied in the chargingcover K, thus combining several operative functions in the machine with the fewest number of parts. Since the vent (1 must be opened when the lid or cover K is opened, the opening of the vent is insured when water is introduced into the generating-chamber.

Suitable means areprovided for preventing the vent being either opened or left open atany time without stopping the machine, and this is accomplished in this instance by means of a suitable cam 3 on the cover K, which engages with the lower end of the latch it when the cover K is opened and rocks said latch on its pivot a to disengage the latch from the hook or catch 0, thus permitting the valve C to close. This construction prevents the valve movement from being in operative relation while the vent q is open, and therefore before the user can get a supply of gas it is necessary for him to close the lid K, which closes the vent g.

It will be seen that according to my invention the lid or cover K, which may be termed a charging device, and the flushing-out device reciprocally control each other, for the interlocking connections between the two devices enable each to control the movements of the other. Since the venting device is connected to be operated by the charging device, it may be said that the flushing-out device and the venting device also reciprocally control each other.

According to the construction described the feeding mechanism of the generator is provided with operative connections which are thrown out of operative relation when the charging device is opened, so that the valve is permitted to close automatically, and as long as the charging device remains open the operative engagement of the connections for the feeding mechanism is prevented. As before, since the vent is connected to be operated by the cover K it will be seen that means are provided for throwing the connections for the feeding mechanism out of operative relation when the venting device is opened.

I do not herein claim the improvements disclosed in the gasometer, as it is not proper to claim thisinvention in the present application, together with the claims already therein; but I reserve the right to make a separate application at a future date for the improvements in the gasometer.

In my copending application, Serial No. 189,950, filed January 21, 1904:, claims having a generic relation to this case are made upon venting, flushing, and water-supply devices.

According to this invention it will be seen that there are cooperatingconnections between the venting and flushing-out devices so constructed that when the vent is closed the flush- 1 out is closed and when the vent is opened the flush-out may be operated without operating the vent. The cooperating connections between the venting and flushing-out devices are also so constructed that when the flush-out is opened the vent is opened and when the flushout is closed the vent may be operated without operating the flush-out. According to my construction I preferably provide that when the vent is closed the flush-out is positively locked closed; but when the vent is open, as hereinbefore stated, the flush-out may be operated without operating the vent. Furthermore, my interlocking connections are preferably so constructed .that when the flush-out is open the vent is positively locked open and when the flush-out is closed the vent may be operated without operating. the flush-out.

In my copending application, Serial No. 65,811, filed June 24, 1901, generic claims are made to features relating to the construction and operative connections of the generator, and I do not herein claim anything claimed in said application.

Obviously some features of my invention may be used without others, and my invention my be embodied in widely-varying forms.

Therefore, without limiting myself to the construction shown and described nor enumerating equivalents, I claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the following:

1. In a generator, the combination of a device for venting the generator to atmospheric air, and a flushing-out device, and connections between the said devices, for positively looking the venting device open as long as the flush-out is open, so that the venting device cannot be operated until the flush-out is first moved to a given position, and said connections also operating to lock the flush-out closed when the venting device is closed, so that the flush-out cannot be operated until the vent is first movedto a given position, for substantially the purposes set forth.

2. In a generator, the combination of a device for venting the generator to atmospheric air, and a fiushing-out device, and interlocking connections between the said devices, whereby the venting device cannot be closed as long as the flush-out is open and until the fiush-out-has been first operated, and the flushout cannotbe opened except when the venting device is open, for substantially the purposes set forth.-

3. In agenerator, the combination of watercharging and flushing-out devices, and a device for venting the generator to atmospheric air, with connections between the venting and flushing-out devices, for positively locking the venting device open as long as the flushout is open,-so that the venting device cannot be operated until the flush-out is first moved to a given position, and the said connections also operating to lock the flush-out closed when the venting device is closed, so that the flush-out cannot be operated until the vent is first moved to a given position, and operative connections whereby the position of the Watercharging device controls the operation of the venting and flushing-out devices, for substantially the purposes set forth.

1. In agenerator, the combination of watercharging and flushing-out devices, and a device for venting the generator to atmospheric air, with interlocking connections including the water-charging device as part of the same, arranged between the venting and flushingout devices, whereby the venting device cannot be closed as long as the flush-out is open and untilthe flush-out has been first operated, and the flush-out cannot be opened except when the venting device is open, for substantially the purposes set forth.

5. In a generator,the combination of a feeding-valve and operative mechanism therefor, a water-charging lid, a vent-cock connected to 'be operated by said lid, and means for disconnecting the operative mechanism of the feeding-valve from said valve, thereby permitting said valve to close automatically and at the same time open the vent-cock, when the charging-lid is opened, for substantially the purposes set forth.

6. In a generator, the combination of a carbid-feeding valve and operative connections therefor, a water-charging lid, a vent-cock connected to be operated by said lid, and means for preventing the operative engagennent of the connections for the feeding-valve with said valve and for also preventing the closure of the vent-cock as long as the watercharging lid is open, for substantially the purposes set forth.

7. In a generator, the combination of a carbid-feeding device and operative automatic gas-actuated mechanism connected to operate the same, a movable water-charging lid, and means for disconnecting said automatic operative mechanism from the carbid-feeding device when the said charging-lid is open, for substantially the purposes set forth.

8. In a generator, the combination with the hopper, of a valve and valve mechanism, and a casing inclosing the same within the hopper, said casing being constructed to afford provision for removing the valve upwardly therethrough, for substantially the purposes set forth.

9. In a generator, the combination with the hopper, of a valve and valve mechanism including a lever, and an inclosing casing having a lever-box, said casing being constructed to afford provision for removing the valve upwardl y through the same, for substantially the purposes set forth.

10. In a generator, the combination with the hopper having a conical bottom,of a valve and valve mechanism, a universal and interchangeable inclosing casing adapted to fit within all sizes of hoppers having the same angle of convergence at the bottom, said casing being constructed to afford provision for withdrawing the valve upwardly through the upper portion of the casing, for substantially the purposes set forth.

11. A universal and interchangeable valvemechanism casing adapted to [it within all sizes of hoppers having conical bottoms of the same angle of convergence, said casing comprising a housing and a lever-box and provided with a leg extending from the housing and adapted to bear upon the hopper for aiding in supporting the casing within the hopper, for substantially the purposes set forth.

12. In a generator,the combination with the hopper, of a valve and valve mechanism including a lever engaging said valve, and an inclosing and protecting casing for the valve and valve mechanism constructed to afford provision for removing the valve through the upper portion of the casing and also to permit the said lever to become disengaged from the valve as it is raised upwardly, for substantially the purposes set forth.

13. The combination with the feeding mechanism of a gas-generator, of operative connections for controlling the feeding mechanism, adapted to be actuated by the gas generated, means for automatically disengaging said operative connections ata predetermined limit to permit the valve of the feeding mechanism to close, and means for varying the point at which said disengagement takes place, for substantially the purposes set forth.

1 1. The combination with the feeding mechanism of a gas-generator and with one lever that is adapted to be actuated by the gas generated, and another arm or lever that is connected to move with the valve or feeding device, of operative connections between the said levers, means for disengaging said operative connections when the first said lever reaches a predetermined limit, and means for varying the point at which said disengagement takes place, for substantially the purposes set forth.

15. In a generator, the combination of venting and flushing-out devices, and interlocking connections between the same, so constructed that when the Vent is closed the flushout is positively locked closed, and when the vent is open, the flush-out may be operated without operating the vent, for substantially the purposes set forth.

16. In a generator, the combination of venting and flushing-out devices, and interlocking connections between the same, so constructed that when the flush-out is open the vent is positively looked open, and when the flush-out is closed, the vent may be operated without operating the flush-out, for substan tially the purposes set forth.

17 In a generator, the combination of venting and flushing-out devices, and interlocking connections between the same, so constructed that when the vent is closed the flush-out is positively locked closed, when the flush-out is open the vent is positively locked open, when the vent is open the flushout may be'operated without operating the vent, and when the flush-out is closed the vent may be operated without operating the flushout, for substantially the purposes set forth,

1'8. In a generator, the combination of venting and flushing-out devices and cooperating connections between the same, so constructed that when the vent is closed, the flush-out is closed, and when the vent is open, the flush-out may be operated without operating the vent, for substantially the purposes set forth.

19. In a generator, the combination of venting and flushing-out devices and cooperating connections between the same, so constructed that when the flush-out is opened, the vent is opened, and when the flush-out is closed, the vent may be operated without operating the flush-out, for substantially the purposes set forth. 4

20. In a generator, the combination of venting and flushing-out devices and cooperating connections between the sam.e,so constructed that when the vent is closed, the flush-out is closed, and when the flush-out is opened the vent is opened, when the vent is open the flush-out may be operated without operating the vent, and when the flush-out is closed, the vent may be operated without operating the flush-out, for substantially the purposes set forth.

21. The combination of water-inlet andflushing-out devices and cooperating connections between them provided with means for interfering with and preventing the opening of the flushing-out device without opening the water-inlet and the closing of the venting device without closing the water-inlet device.

22. The combination of water-inlet and flushing-out devices and cooperating connections between them provided with means for interfering with and preventing the opening of the flushing-out device without opening the water-inlet and the closing of the venting device without closing the water-inlet device, without interfering with the free operation of the flushing-out device when the Waterinlet device is open, and without interfering with the operation of the inlet device when the flushing-out device is closed.

23. The combination of the venting device and water-inlet device connected and cooperating, and a flushing-out device and connections from the flushing-out device to the inlet and ventingdevices, provided with means for interfering with the opening of the flushing device while the water inlet and vent are closed and for interfering with the closing of the inlet and vent while the flushing-out device is open.

24. The combination of the venting device and. Water-inlet device connected and cooperating, and a flushing-out device and connections from the flushing-out device to the inlet and venting devices, provided with means for interfering with the opening of the flushing device while the water inlet and vent are closed and for interfering with the closing of the inlet and vent while the flushing-out device is open, without interfering with the inlet and vent being open while the flushing-out device is closed.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NELSON GOODYEAR. Witnesses:

HENRY O. GARRETSON, H. G. OGDEN, Jr. 

